BLINDERS. 



259 



Fig. 315.- 



The Corners of the Blinders Dang- 

 ling against the Eyes.' 



an entirely new object to him, will often show such violent' fear 

 as to resist all restraint and run away. One of two things niust 

 be! done ; viz.* either cover up 

 the eyes so that he cannot see 

 the top, or give him entire free- 

 dom in seeing it, when the 

 cause of the trouble will be easily 

 overcome. 



It is true that blinders may be 

 used in Certain cases to over- 

 come natural defects, the same 

 as other appliances are used, to 

 overcome certain difficulties ; 

 but they are only necessary, 

 when at all, on account of im- 

 proper or defective education. 



First, a lazy horse will drive 

 steadier and better when he 

 cannot see the motions ■ of the whip, because such will learn to 

 watch the whip when raised for punishment and jump to avoid it, 



and then slack up again until the effort 

 is repeated. But if blinders are used 

 uport such horses> they should be so 

 formed that they will not interfere side- 

 ways or forward^, or in any way injure 

 or touch the eye. They should' merely 

 prevent him from looking back. 



Second, a horse which has an ugly 

 looking head, or a serious defect in an 

 eye, or has suffered the loss of an eye, 

 will be improved by the use of skillfully 

 applied blinders, which wilt serve to con- 

 ceal the defects ; and this, as before 

 explained, was the cause of their intro- 

 duction. 



Third, if the horse is but imperfectly 

 trained, and not accustomed when hitched 

 to a top carriage to see it, the careful 

 covering of the eyes with blinders will 

 enable driving of the horse With com- 

 parative safety so long as the blinders are kept so, and will pre- 

 vent the occurrence of a large portion of the accidents that are of 



Fia. 316.— Blinders Striking 

 against the Eyes. 



